Statement by Cllr Timothy Gaston, TUV Bannside:
“Under the reform of Local Government there was to be a redistribution of a range of powers and responsibilities to Local Government from the Northern Ireland Assembly. The rationale was simple in most cases – Local Government is at the coal-face and knows how best to meet local need.
“It is therefore most disappointing that regeneration powers, which would have empowered Councils to tackle dwindling town centres and local infrastructure, are now not coming to Local Government. Instead they will remain at Stormont.
“Councils across Northern Ireland should have this power, and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council would have benefited. I fear the withholding of these powers will cause stagnation instead of the regeneration that is needed.”